befuddled

[bih-fuhd-ld]

adjective

1. confused or muddled.

   They claim this is the prevailing economic theory, taught in the best schools, and that I am a hopelessly befuddled fool for questioning it.

2. puzzled or perplexed.

   People often ask us—usually with a befuddled look on their face—"Why on earth are you doing this?"

3. stupidly drunk.

   I don't think he's sobered up at all—in fact, he looks almost frighteningly befuddled and out of it.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of befuddle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of befuddled¹

First recorded in 1830–40; befuddle + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; befuddle + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

Alcaraz told befuddled reporters after the match that he “had to do something” about his hair and beard, so he flew in his personal barber.

From Los Angeles Times

The defeated opposition, the Democratic Party, seemed distinctly befuddled and weak.

From Salon

It hasn’t been just Hong who has found himself befuddled by his disappearing and reappearing plane.

From Los Angeles Times

It portrayed the star as the well-meaning, frequently befuddled patriarch of an unruly household.

From BBC

In the 1990s, his wild image transformed thanks to the MTV reality show The Osbournes - which portrayed the star as the well-meaning, frequently befuddled patriarch of an unruly household.

From BBC

Related Words

• baffled 
• bewildered